'In Colorado we travelled over 1000 miles, wrestling 5 nights in a row, because of the high elevation, over 7000 feet, many of the team suffered from nose bleeds during matches, also iron deficiency became an issue, so stamina suffered some nights.

'This Tour [was] in 1978, Ricky also competed in the Junior World Championships in Chicago, I did the same in the NZ Tour the following year after touring and competing with the New Zealand Team throughout North and South Dakota. This year I also won the NZ 90 Kilo Championship, with the Gold Medal presented by Precious McKenzie, the world famous renown International Weightlifter, he officiated at all the medal ceremonies for the NZ Championship this year.